Improvement in machines for gutting locks in hoops



2 SheetsSheet 1.

P. D. PIKE. Machine for Cutting Looks in Hoops.

Patented Dec. 23, 1879.

WITNESSES! 2.12. Pike.

PETERS, PHOTQLTTNOGRAPHER, WASMNGTON D Q 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

r P. D. PIKE. Machine for Cutting Looks in Hoops.

No. 222,945. PatentedDec. 23, I879;

WITN EssEs: INVENTEIR.

N. PETERS, PHOTD-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. n. C.

UNITED STATES PATEN PAPHRO D. PIKE, OF STOWE, VERMONT.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR CUTTING LOCKS IN HOOPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222.9 15, dated December 48, 1879; application filed October 21, 1879.

' To all whom it may concern:

' to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of machines used for cutting the locks in hoops for barrels and other articles of coopers ware; the object being to so improve upon the machines now used to a limited extent that they shall be employed by manufacturing eoopers generally as a means for materially reducing the cost of the articles produced by them, and at the same time improving the quality of their wares.

Many devices have been heretofore invented for the purpose of cutting the locks in hoops, but they have all lacked some element either in construction or mode of operation, that rendered the lock out by them less perfeet than that cut in the ordinary manner by hand. They have not, therefore, been employed to the extent that a more perfectlyworking machine would be.

My invention, therefore, consists in certain improvements in the mechanism of lock-cut ting machines, which will be hereinafter fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the machine complete. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, showing the opposite side of the machine to that shown in Fig. 1.

The framing of the machine consists of a bed-plate, A, from which rises the standard composed of the posts A, connected to each other by suitable cross-bars near the middle of their length. The table B surmounts the standard, and is preferably cast with it and the bed in one and the same piece of metal, thus insuring solidity and strength. They may, however, be formed in separate pieces,

' and afterward bolted or otherwise secured together. Pivoted to this table B and projecting above it are the hoop-clamps G and U, their grasping-jaws, which hold the hoop above the table, being given such shape as will allow the free action of the cutting-tools upon that part of the hoop which is to be cut away to form the lock. These jaws are separated by means of the double incline or wedge a, which has a vertical movement between the guides a to, its point entering between the lower ends of the jaws, so that when the wedge is forced upward it spreads their lower ends apart, causing their upper ends to close upon and firmly hold the hoop placed between them.

In order to operate the wedge a, there is a rod, D, having a collar, 1), formed upon it near its upper end, and ,provided with a coiled spring, I), that encircles the rod D and rests upon the collar b.

The upper end of rod D is passed through a hole in the lug b, which is securedto or forms a part of the wedge, apin, a, being passed through the upper end of the rod to prevent its retraction.

In order to give motion to the'rod D it is connected at its lower end to a foot-lever, E, by the pivotal joint 0, the foot-lever oscillating upon the pivot c in the upwardly-projecting'lug E, which formsa part of the bedplate A. It will therefore be apparent that when the foot of the operator is placed upon the treadle and the end E depressed, the rod D will be raised and the wedge a forced upward between the lower ends of the jaws G and C, causing their upper ends to close upon and firmly hold the hoop placed between them.

As the hoops vary inthickness, and the footlever E has the further duty to perform of op eratin g the cutters which form the lock, it becomes nccessary to introduce some compensating device, which shall allow the lever to move after the hoop is firmly clasped. This is provided by the spring I), through which the movement of the rod D is communicated to the wedge, it being evident that after the wedge has caused the jaws to firmly grasp the hoop any further upward movement will simply compress the spring, the upper, end of the rod passing freely through the lug 11 upon the wedge without imparting any further upward movement thereto.

The cutters which form the lock are four in number, and are operated from the foot-lever E by means of the connecting-rod F, the lower end of which is pivoted to the end of the footlever at 01, its upper end being provided with an elongated slot or mortise, and attached by the pivot-bolt d to the arm G upon the rockshaft H.

The use of the slot in the rod F is to permit the wedge to act upon the jaws before the cutters are brought into contact with the hoop.

This rock-shaft H rests in bearings H, secured to the table B, and, through the agency of the arm G, connecting-rod I, and arm I, communicates an oscillatory movement to the vertical shaft J, the lower end of which is stepped in bracket 01. The upper end of this vertical shaft J gives motion, by means of a crank or eccentric-pin c passing through a slot in the arm K, to the horizontallymoving knife K, which is attached to the arm K vibrating on the pivot c. This knife K cuts one end of the scarf, the opposite end being cut by the knife L upon the horizontally-swinging arm L attached directly to the rock-shaft J, the movements of the knives K and L being so timed that they act simultaneously upon the hoop. In order to out the vertical lock and scarf the opposite side of the hoop, the knives M and M are employed, both being attached to the free end of the rock-shaft arm G, the knife M cutting the scarf and the knife M the vertical lock. The movement of the knife-bearing end of the arm G is also so timed as to alternate with the knives which cut the scarf upon the opposite side of the hoop, thus enabling them to act without coming in contact with each other.

The method of working the machine is as follows: The operator sits or stands in front of the machine, takes a hoop in both hands, the left hand near the end, and the right at a sufficient distance therefrom to admit the clamping-jaws between them. He then places the hoop between the jaws, with its outside next to him. Then, by placing his foot upon the treadle, the wedge is forced upward, causing the jaws to firmly grasp the hoop. A further movement of the treadle brings the cutting-knives into play, the vertical out being made first, and the others following in succession, so as not to interfere with each others action.

By the construction and arrangement of the clamping-jaws the machine is enabled to act upon hoops of varying thicknesses without change, as the center of the hoop is always brought to the same place no matter what its thickness may be. I

A measuring-rod may be attached to the top or standard of the machine, if desired, to determine the distance between the looks at opposite ends of the hoop, the whole apparatus forming a practically-operating machine of great value to the trade.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following:

1. In a hoop-lock-cutting machine, the combination of the pivoted jaws, which hold the hoop, with the vertically-moving wedge, its

operatingrod, and spring, all arranged for joint operation in the manner set forth.

2. The combination of the rock-shaft H, arm G, rod I, arm I, vertical rock-shaft J, and arm K, operated by eccentric-pin c, with the soarling-knives Kand L arranged to scarf one side of the hoop, as set forth.

3. In a hoop-lock-cutting machine, the combination of a supporting-frame, formed as shown and described, with the hoop-holding jaws operated by a vertically-moving wedge, the scarf-cutters and lock-cutters, with their operatin g mechanism, all connected and arranged for joint operation in the manner set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of October, 1879.

PAPn o D. PIKE. LI s] 

